The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-10-12

tering the shop, we came upon Nj. Ballu,
the upholsterer, who, all budding and
blooming, was busy working at a parcel
of goods.
"Oh, that's your little game, is it3" be-
gan Choquart, as soon as he set eyes Oh
his intended victim. "You're alive,
then? l thought as much. But you
don't play the monkey with me any
longer, Mister Turk; you've caught the
wrong SOW by the ear this time, let me
tell you"
Monsieur Choquart" exclaimed the
merchant.
"Yes, sir, my name is Choquart-Cho-
quart, do you hear, sir who'll have
none of this tomfoolery. Your wife
where is she, your wife2 She's young
and pretty, but wants to run a rig upon
me. Your wife, say, averred that you
were on your last legs and would be as
dead as herring in less than six months,
and here you are, alive and kicking. Now,
is that the way you keep your engage
mentsi
"Ah! Monsieur Choquart," rejoined
the merchant, who had somewhat re-
covered from his first fright, 81 have
been i'll, very i'll, indeed. You'll never
see me don the Turkish garb again.
IT'S over now. SO let me ask you to
forgive and forget any improper thing
may have said on that eventful night.
"One moment" said Choquart, "not
quite so fast, please. Do you tender your
excuses in the regular formf"
"Faith don't quite understand what
form that is. But this 1 know, for /
have inquired about you and learned
that you are a right good fellow. Come,
have roasted leg of mutton with kid
ney-beans Will you do me the honor
to dine with me, you and your friendl
MY wife will be overjoyed. Aglae, why
don't you Gomez Here is NJ. Choquart,
who accepts an invitation to dine with
u.s.
OF course nodded assent, while it was
not over difficult TO read on Choquart's
relaxing countenance that the roasted
leg of mutton had found the way to his
heart.
"Then again." added NJ. Ballu, who
now felt that he had the game in his own
hands, ~ have certain Madeira about
which should like to have your opin-
ion, Monsieur Choquart.
You have no Madeira, sir" retorted
Choquart, with a deep frown upon his
eyelids.
"But-"
81 say you have no Madeira, sir, ex-
claimed the duelist, raising his voice and
gesticulating like a madman. "And
please take notice that am not to be
contradicted on this point. / have drunk
but one glass of genuine Madeira during
the whole course of my life. Twas at
the Tuileries. Yes, sir, had Just re-
covered from sickness, and was on duty
at the Kings dinner. A glass of Madeira
having been poured out for Louis XVIII,
his Majesty, turning toward the cup
bearer, said: Hand that to Choquart,
and give him my compliments oyou
hear me now2"
"But, Monsieur Choquart, assure
you"
Il say that you have no Madeira,
sir, ;" screeched Choquart, who had grown
! furious, and brought his hand down with
terrific force on the wooden counter.
'If you once more dare to say that you
have Madeira wine I'll tear your head
clean off from your shoulders And
what else did you say you hadp
"Well," said the merchant, who was
somewhat staggered at this sudden fit of
passion, 'Tve leg of mutton with
kidney beans"
"A leg of mutton" said Choquart, in
a soft tone of voice, that's good, when
well roasted. But I'm confident twill
be overdone. Have you got such a thing
as a spit"
"A spit3 / should say had" burst
out NJ. Ballu, with kindling eyes. "Only
just pass this way, gentlemen and see
/ for yourselves"
The merchant led us into a comfortable
back shop, which answered the purpose
of diningroom. There on the hearth,
in front of a bright blazing fire, fine
leg of mutton majestically turned ON a
spit, like planet round the sun.
"That looks nice, remarked Choquart,
after a moment of silent contemplation.
"You are not altogether an idiot. A
man who knows the worth of spit de-
serves to live. But why don't you baste
your leg of mutton2' So saying Cho-
quart took up the ladle, and began
pouring over the meat the rich steaming
juice. At that moment the merchants S
wife came in.
''Ah, good day, madame, good day to
/ you.' said Choquart, as he leant over
and delnged the savory roast. "Well,
/ you see what has happened. Your hus-
band isn't dead after all. Dear me, how
shall we get to arrange the matter3 'Tis
very provoking, very
| "Alas, sir, twas a severe trial. God,
in His goodness, has spared his life. |
trust the lesson will be of service to
him.
Good in His poodness y, wont m, NUT
| tering Choluart That's all very we'll
| But we haven't settled our little Difficult
/ ty as yet"
"Come, now, Choquart, said inter
rupting him pretty sharply, "we've had
enough on that score. NJ. Ballu has
rendered you his best excuses in my pres
ence, and cordially invites you to dinner;
what more do you wants"
''Dear me, said Choquart, still fasci-
mated by the leg of mutton, 81 do think
/ it is beginning to burn at the joint
The difficulty was now over and the
duelist completely disarmed We all had
/ dinner. ChOquart recOunted his duels
to the upholsterer, and drank with great
gusto his spurious" Madeira.
!
thoquart died in poverty. For over
twenty years he had lived on a small pen
sion granted him by the Comte de Cham
bord. When, however, he received five
hundred francs, his wont was to give his
friends a supper which cost the same
] sum so that on certain davs Of the vear